In-form jockey Linda Meech is thinking of a Derby victory after Thought Of That scored an all the way win in the Group 3 $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) at Caulfield today.

Thought Of That, above, is now one of the top fancies for the Victoria Derby after an all the way win in the Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Thought Of That made the giant step up from a last start Ballarat Maiden win to dominate from the front in the Ladbrokes Classic to now be one of the favourites for the Group 1 $2m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2.

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have shortened Thought Of That’s Victoria Derby price from $11 into the $4 second pick behind the Mark Newnham trained Shadow Hero at $2.80.

Meech had no worries about taking Thought Of That ($4.20) straight to the front and then dictated the speed mid race before powering away in the straight to record a very impressive Victoria Derby trial.

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace took Meech’s advice and put the blinkers on Thought Of That before his eight lengths win at Ballarat and he kept that winning momentum going with a three and three quarter lengths winning margin in the Ladbrokes Classic.

The Anthony Freedman trained Warning ($4.20) chased home the winner for second with Brilliant Venture ($31) a further two lengths away in third spot just ahead of the $3.70 favourite Miami Bound.

“He has been great in the blinkers,” Meech said.

“They really make him switch off early and makes him concentrate when you need him to.”

“I said to Dave Eustace that this horse isn’t trying at all and when the blinkers went on he really got a lot better.”

“You love them even more when you might be able to win the Derby on them.”